HL Deb 23 January 1962 vol 236 cc829-30

2.36 p.m.

LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will amend the terms of reference of the Committee of Inquiry on Decimalisation so as not to exclude the consideration by the Committee of a duodecimal system.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD MILLS)

No, my Lords. The Government were aware of the alternatives to a decimal system when they decided upon the terms of reference for the Committee of Inquiry. So many countries in the world have now adopted, or are committed in principle to introduce, a decimal system that the Government concluded it was desirable to confine the inquiry to that system.

LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, I am much obliged to the Minister for his Answer. Is not this an opportunity for this country to lead the world once more?

LORD MILLS

There are many opportunities for leading the world, my Lords—

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

Which way?

LORD MILLS

—but this one would take so long that, inevitably, it would be long after we were all dead before we could think of another system.

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, while accepting that the Government are now aware of the duodecimal system, may I ask whether this matter ought not to be considered not from the point of view of immediate introduction, but from that of an ultimate move in this direction, which, if the noble Lord has considered it, I am sure he will agree is bound to come sooner or later?

LORD MILLS

My Lords, I do not know why the noble Lord said that the Government are now aware of it, because they have been aware of it all along. But I do not see any object in going further into this question, because so much of the world is on a decimal system that it would be quite impracticable for us to adopt an alternative.

LORD MORRISON OF LAMBETH

My Lords, for the benefit of the less well-informed among us, could the noble Lord say what the duodecimal system is?

LORD MILLS

My Lords, the Leader of the House offers to answer, but I would say that the duodecimal system is one based on twelve instead of on ten.

LORD REA

My Lords, does the Minister remember that, when this subject was first mentioned to the House, I asked whether those who objected to the decimal system would be allowed to protest? The answer I got was that they would be allowed to protest. Does that mean that objectors who are not subscribers to the duodecimal system will be heard?

LORD MILLS

My Lords, I think that that is a matter for the Committee.

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